A Kid-Foward Family in the Desert
Extras from our interview with influencer Hannah Lily Williams
Hannah Lily Williams and her husband Matt Graber live in the California desert with their four children, ranging in age from 6 months to 11 years old. Their youngest (and first daughter!) is Leni Jean.
I chatted with Hannah for How I Named My Baby — we talked baby name guessing games on social media (my first pick for her was Delilah — which made her list at one point!), wild California nature names, and raising kids in the desert.
Below, see extras from our interview with Hannah.
Waiting to reveal the name: I was so crazy about not sharing her name before she was born. There’s a baby boom out here in the desert. Leni felt like this golden name — it’s unique but still very familiar. It’s cute but can age with the child, and not in the Top 1500. I was like, “someone’s going to steal this if I share it!”
Leni’s nicknames: Everyone calls her Leonard! I don’t know why! I call her Lenith — these nicknames just come out. Leonardo is the other one.
Leni’s future room: I can’t wait to give her her own space. It’s going to be so fun to tie into the unisex nature of her name. She’s got cowgirl vibes with her name! I want to lean into that and her spunkiness. She’s very feisty. I think the room will reflect that.
Former faves: I’m the oldest of five girls so I got to “help” name my other sisters. I remember I rioted when my mom wouldn’t use the name Daisy for one of them. I thought it was just the best name ever.
Older sibling suggestions: The boys suggested Grace because their babysitter is named Grace. We love her, but I feel like she’d be a little bit creeped out if we used her name.
The craziest name she (briefly) considered: I thought about Peach for a minute! Peach is pretty cute. I felt like every time someone saw a peach or was eating a peach they’d be like, “Oh look, it’s you!” I thought she would get annoyed. My name is a palindrome and my whole life, people have said to me, “Did you know your name is the same forwards and backwards?” It would embarrass me!
Read the full interview below, and learn more about Hannah and Matt on Instagram.